Mail-chute.



PATENTBD DBG. 17, 1907..V

J. W. GUTLBR. MAIL CHUTE. APPLICATION FILED JAI. 6, 1906.

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BATBNTED DEC. 17, 19o?` J. w. GUTLBR. A

MAIL CHUTE.

APPLICATION FILED IALGB 1906P 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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No. 874,053. PATENTED DEC. 17, 1907.

J. W. CUTLER.

MAIL CHUTE.

APPLICATION FILED IAN. 61906.

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UNITED STATES PATENT oEEIoE.

JOSEPH WARREN CUTLER, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO CUTLER MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

MAIL-CHUTE Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 1'7, 1907'.

Application filed January 6. 1906. Serial No. 294.825.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOSEPH WARREN OUT- LER, of Rochester, in the county of Monroe and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mail- Ohutes and I do hereby delare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and to the reference numerals marked thereon.

My present invention relates to improvements in mail chutes and analogous devices for conducting postal matter from different parts of a building to a collection receptacle under the control'of the postal authorities, and the object of my invention is to provide convenient means of access to the interior of the device for the removal of obstructions, and for other purposes, the parts being so constructed and arranged that the letters and other articles of matter being conducted through the chute or other device will not catch in crevices or on rojections and thus form an obstruction in t e chute. l

`To these and other ends my invention consists in certain improvements and combinations and arrangements of parts, all as will be hereinafter more fully described, the novel features being pointed outin the claims at the end of the specification.

In the drawings: Figure 1 represents a front elevation of aportion of a mail chute constructed in accordance with my present invention. Fig. 2 represents a vertical section on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1 Fig. 3 represents a horizontal section Von the line 3 3 of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 represents a section on the line 4 4 of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a 1view similar to Fig. 3, the door or movable panel being shown in opened position Fig. 6 is a side elevation of a portion of a chute embodying my invention Fig. 7 is a perspective view of one of the joint or connecting members, and Fig. 8 represents a section on the line 8 8 of Fig. 6.

Similar parts are designated by the same reference numerals in the several views.

Mail chutes for conducting postal matter from various parts of a building to a suitable collection receptacle are usually constructed in sections to facilitate .manufacture andassembling thereof within the building, and in order to afford convenient access to the interior of the chute for the removal of obstructions, 1 have provided the chute with one or more doors or panels that are normally locked in closed position by a lock under control of the postal authorities, but which may be quickly and easily opened by the authorities to enable the interior of the chute to be reached, as described in my prior patent No. 758,128, dated April 26, 1904.

My present invention provides an improved joint or connection between the chute sections whereby not only will the postal matter being conducted through the chute have a smooth and unobstructed passage from one chute section to the other without liability of the matter being caught in crevices or on projections and thus form obstructions, but the abutting edges of the sections and their parts will be sealed or closed to prevent malicious insertion of a sharp instrument therebetween for the purpose of intercepting the postal matter passing the joint, and while the joint between the sections is covered or sealed as described, operations of the doors or panels is'not interfered with in any way, so that these doors or panels may be opened and closed as desired without removing or adjusting any part of the joint.

In the present embodiment of my invention, the chute is secured to a wall or other object 1 by means of a bracket or wall strap 2, the latter usually extending transversely across the back of the chute and having the channels 3 3 therein to receive and conceal the screws or other fastening devices 4 which extend into the wall, vertical slots 5 5 being formed in the bracket to receive the headed projections or buttons 6 and 7 of the respective chute sections. The abutting ends of these sections are provided with cooperating ianges which serve as a joint or connection between the sections. One of these flanges 8 carrying the projections 7 embraces the back and sides of the chute section 8a at a point somewhat removed from its edge, leaving an extension 9 thereon projecting beyond the adjacent edge 10 of the flange. The other chute section 11 is also provided with a flange 12 which embraces the back and sides of the chute, and this flange is provided with a portion 13 extending beyond the end of the chute section, an interior recess or socket 14 being formed on the extended part of the iiange to receivethat part 9 of the abutting chute section which projects beyond its flange, and the edge of the flange 12 will rest against the corresponding edge accessible to the proper authorities for the removal of obstructions and other purposes, but the operation of the movable doors or 10 of flange 8, the joint between the abutting panels may be accomplished without disends of the chute sections being thus broken at the sides so as to prevent passage of an instrument or other obstruction to the interior of the chute' 1n order to provide a smooth passage for the postal matter between one chute section and the other, a beveled ledge 15 is provided preferably on the flange 12 which bridges the space between the ends of the chute sections, thereby preventing lodgment of letters or other articles descending the chute, and this ledge has a portion 16 preferably formed integrally with the flange 12 and which extends across the front of the chute.

The fronts of the chute sections are preferably closed normally by a movable door or panel which may be opened when necessary to afford access to the interior of the chute, the doors shown in the present embodiment being each supported at one side by means of a hinge 17, suitable means, such for instance as that shown in my prior patent aforesaid, being employed for locking the doors in closed position. These doors may be of any desired construction, those shown comprising a frame made up of an angle member 18 surrounding a panel 19 preferably of glass, the angle member being incased in a molding 20 having spaced flanges or edges 21 and 22 for clamping the panel 19 and holding it in position. rlhose edges. of the doors of two sections that are arranged to rest opposite and in proximity to each other when the chute sections are placed end to end, are each provided with a cross-piece 23 for connecting the sides of the door frame, and each of these cross-pieces is secured in position preferably by providingit with a pair of lugs 24 adapted to extend into the hollow molding, screws or other securing devices 25 being passed through the angle member to fasten the lugs and thereby prevent removal of the crosspiece. The cross pieces on the doors of two adjacent and abutting chute sections are so located that the crevice or space between them when they are in closed position will be opposite to the front portion 16 of the beveled ledge, and this ledge serves not only as a stop for the cross-pieces on the doors, but also as a shield or protector which closes the space between them and thereby prevents insertion of an instrument or other obstruction for the purpose of maliciously intercepting the matter passing through the chute, the beveled surface at the inner side of the ledge serving to deflect the lettersfrom the crevices or projections formed by the joining of the doors or panels of the chute sections.

A mail chute constructed in accordance with my present invention is not only readily turbing the joint between the sections, the said joint being so constructed that a smooth and unobstructed surface is provided for conveying the postal matter from one section to the other without liability of the matter lodging and forming obstructions, the meeting or abutting portions of the respective sections forming a oint or connection that is effectually closed and therefore will prevent malicious tampering with the matter within the chute.

I claim as my invention:

1. The combination with a mail chute, of a movable. door or panel in the chute capable of being operated to afford access to ,the interior of the chute, and a protective member arranged at the inner side of said door or panel and extending beyond one of its ends.

2. The combination with a mail chute, of a movable door or panel in the chute for affording access to its interior, and a protective member constituting a fixed part of the chutearranged at the inner side of the door or panel and extending beyond one of its ends.

3. The combination with a mail chute embodying two or more superposed sections, of a movable door or panel in one of the sections operable to afford access to the interior of the chute, and a protective member arranged adjacent to the end of one of the sections its inner surface serving as a continuation of the interior surfaces of the chute sections, the said member being arranged at the inner side of the door and overlapping one of its ends.

1. The combination with a mail chute embodying two or more superposed sections, of a movable door or panel in one of the sections operable to afford access to the interior of the chute, and a protective member fixed to the chute adjacent to the abutting portions of the sections, the said member being arranged at the inner side of the door and extending beyond the adjacent end thereof.

5. The combination with a mail chute embodyingtwo or more superposed sections, of a movable door or panel, operable to aff ord access to the interior of the chute, and a member extending transversely of the chute adjacent to the abutting portions of the chute sections, a beveled surface being provided at the inner side of said member for conducting postal matter from one chute section to the other, said member being arranged at the inner side ofthe door and proj ecting longitudinally beyond its end.

6. The combination with a mail chute embodying two or more superposed sections, and a movable door or panel on each section for affording access to the interior of the.

chute, of a member arranged at the inner side of said doors and overlapping the adjacent ends thereof.

7. The combination with a mail chute embodying two or more superposed sections, and a movable door or panel on each section operable for affording access to the interior of the chute, of amember fixed to one of the chute sections and extending transversely of the chute at the inner side of the doors, the abutting ends of the doors of the adjacent sections overlapping the said members.

8. The combination with a mail chute embodying two or more sections arranged end to end, and a fiange fixed to one of the sections forming a joint between them and having a member extending transversely across one side of the chute, of a door in each chute section for affording access to the interior of the chute, the adjacent ends of said doors extending in front of said member.

9. The combinationwith a mail chute embodying two or more superposed sections, of coperating flanges on the sections for forming a "joint between them, one of the flanges having a socket therein to receive a portion of the adjacent chute section and a member fixed to one of the flanges having a beveled surface extending between the chute sections.

10. The combination with a mail chute embodying two or more superposed sections, of a flange on one of the sections for forming a joint between them, the said flange extending beyond the end of its corresponding section and having a socket adapted to receive the end of the abutting section and inclined shoulders at the inner sides of the socket.

11. The combination with a mail chute embodying two or more sections placed end to end, of cooperating flanges on the adjacent ends of the respective sections, one of the fianges being removed from the end of its corresponding section, the other flange ex tending beyond the end of its corresponding section and having a socket adapted to receive that portion of the adjacent chute sec tion extending beyond its fiange and inclined shoulders at the inner sides of the socket.

1 2. The combination with a mail chute i embodying two or more sections placed end to end, and a movable door in each section for affording access to the interior of the chute, of coperating flanges on the chute sections adapted to form a closed joint for the abutting chute sections, and a member on one'of the flanges extending across the chute at the inner side of the doors for closing the joint between the abutting ends thereof.

13. The combination with a mail chute embodying two or more superposed sections, and a door in each section for affording access to the interior of the chute, of coperating fianges on the chute sections, one of said. flanges being spaced from the end of its corresponding section, the other flange extending beyond the end of its corresponding section and having a recessed socket to receive the rojecting end of the other section, a beve ed surface being formed within the proj ecting flange and between the abutting ends of the chute sections, and a member fixed to the projecting flange and extending across the chute at the inner side of the doors, the abutting ends of the latter overlapping the said member.

14. In a mail chute, the combination with a support having a vertical slot therein, of a chute embodying two or more sections having cooperating flanges thereon, and a pro jection oneach flange both adapted to cooperate with the slot of the support fordetachably securing their respective sections in position.

15. In a mail chute, the combination with a support having channels therein, and securing devices for the support having portions resting in said channels, of a chute adapted to occupy a position opposite to the support to conceal the securing devices rest ing in the channels thereof, and means for securing the chute in position.

16. The combination with a mail chute, of a panel arranged in one side thereof embody ing a central plate or portion, hollow moldings at the sides thereof'and angle members arranged within the moldings each having one flange engaging the plate and the other the outer sides of the moldings.

17. The combination with a mail chute, of a movable panel arranged in one side thereof embodying a central plate or portion, hollow sheet metal moldings at the sides thereof, the reinforcing members arranged within the moldings and engaging the outer and rear sides thereof.

18. The combination with a mail chute, of a panel or door arranged in the side thereof embodying the glass plate, the hollow sheet metal moldings at the sides thereof and angle members arranged within the moldings each having a fiange engaging the edge of the glass and the other extending transversely thereof and engaging the outer and rear sides thereof.

19. The combination with a mail chute, embodying a channel open at one side, of a panel or door having the central glass plate, the hollow sheet metal moldings at the sides having portions extending inwardly beyond the edges of the channel and the edges coperating with the glass, and the angle irons within said moldings having the flanges engaging the edges of the glass and the anges piece connecting the molding having lugs engaging the rear and outer sides of the thereon extending into and secured Within moldings and the forward portion thereof to the ends of the molding.

' reinforce them at the salient portions. JOSEPH WARREN CUTLER.

20. The combination with a mail chute, of Witnesses: a door or panel hav/ing a frame embodying a M. BRAGDON, hollowmolding at opposite sides and a cross R. G. FLAGK. 

